Hamas Assassination Underlies Deeper Need for Improved Security in GCC's Hotel Industry

ABU DHABI, UAE, August 26, 2010 - The assassination of a senior member of Hamas in one of the Emirate's
leading five star hotels in January this year attracted global attention.
Shedding insight into such cases will be the 3rd Annual Development and
Infrastructure Security Summit taking place at Le Royal Meridien, Abu Dhabi
from 17 - 20 October 2010.

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The Hamas incident had disrupted the picturesque setting which Dubai's
tourism and hospitality industry is typically associated with.

During times of economic hardship, security consultants are quick to
suggest that security is not seen as a necessity and is often one of the
first areas which is hit by budget cuts. Despite the advantages associated
with good security, such as increased business because of ensured stability,
the lack of obvious monetary returns makes security an easy target for
spending reductions.

The spate of hotel bombings which have occurred in the Middle East, Asia
and Africa over the past decade should be a bleak reminder that hoteliers
must remain vigilant, in times both good and bad.

"Hotels are seen as high profile targets which have recognisable brand
names that are identified as being Western owned," states Bill Fairweather,
hotel security expert and Chairman, Institute of Hotel Security Management.
They are more inclined to be intended as a target "because they are often
frequented by royalty, diplomats, VIPs and senior figures," he continues.

While high profile attacks grab the attention of the media, more subtle
methods of criminality should not be forgotten. According to a recent New
York Times article, instances of credit card fraud are particularly prominent
in the hotel industry and are one of the best sources of information for
hackers ('Credit card hackers visit hotels all too often', July 6 2010).

"Hotels need to develop new security measures to combat changing criminal
trends," asserts Bill, "theft is perpetrated by both internal and external
factions, it's not just your handbag thieves and burglars."

And the best way to secure a hotel? Bill recommends "consulting with
security experts in the hotel industry and speaking with specialist police
departments."

Bill Fairweather will be speaking and conducting a workshop on hotel
fraud and security at IQPC's 3rd Annual Development and Infrastructure
Security Summit, which is taking place at Le Royal Meridien, Abu Dhabi from
17 - 20 October 2010. He will be joined by international and regional
security experts including Andy Williams, Regional Security Director for
Marriott Hotels International and Prof. Paul Ekblom, Co-Director for the
Design Against Crime Research Centre in London. For more information visit
the website at www.infrastructuresecurityme.com or contact IQPC on
+971-4-364-2975 for more details.

About the event

The 3rd Annual Development & Infrastructure Security Summit will bring
together key security stakeholders throughout the value chain including
developers, consultants, and project managers who will discuss and highlight
the key solutions to the security challenges currently faced in real estate,
healthcare, education, hospitality, leisure and tourism developments and
communities throughout the GCC. The event will examine project case studies,
best practice examples, and provide the opportunity to define and explore the
key security challenges and opportunities in the UAE and the GCC.

www.infrastructuresecurityme.com

For more information visit the website at www.infrastructuresecurityme.com or contact IQPC on +971-4-364-2975 for more details.